This is one of five ballades (along with 33, 44, 56, and 58; one could also add 18 and parts of others) in which the poet offers his advice on the nature or conduct of love, as opposed to dwelling on his own (normally troubled) experience. Their lessons vary: here, as in 44, he extols virtuous conduct as a prerequisite for rewards in love.

Other editions: The location of the poem in the editions of Grenier-Winther (GW) and Piaget.

Base MS: The manuscript from which our text is taken, using the sigla listed on this page.

Other copies: The other manuscripts in which the poem appears, with the line numbers for excerpts.

Selected variants: Most of the notes record the editors’ emendations. A small number (for instance, regarding the titles) record alternative readings when we did not emend the base text. We do not, however, provide a complete list of variants, for which one may consult Grenier-Winther’s edition. Each note consists of a line number, a lemma (the reading from our text), the manuscript source for the reading that we have chosen, selected readings from other manuscripts; and the reading from the base manuscript when it was rejected. If no manuscript source is listed following the lemma, the adopted reading is the editors’ conjecture.

Friend, consider loving loyallyIf you want to lead a joyous life.Be discreet and moderate in speech.Let not Envy cause you to speak ill.Flee pride and love courtesy.Love honor with all your might.Esteem the good, pursue their company.From this you can only come to greater worth.

I wish to advise you further on several points,And I beseech you, do not ever forget them.That is, to bear faith, after protecting the honorOf the lady to whom your heart is given.This must he do who aspires to have a lover.He must not desire or wish for any other.He must not desire or wish for any other.From this you can only come to greater worth.

To tell the truth and consider what is right,Whoever does otherwise, it is great folly.He does not deserve that one should give to himEither a bit or a share of the rewards of love.Grace is bestowed upon true lovers.So do your duty there so wellThat Good Love attach itself to you.From this you can only come to greater worth.

This is one of five ballades (along with 33, 44, 56, and 58; one could also add 18 and parts of others) in which the poet offers his advice on the nature or conduct of love, as opposed to dwelling on his own (normally troubled) experience. Their lessons vary: here, as in 44, he extols virtuous conduct as a prerequisite for rewards in love.

Other editions: The location of the poem in the editions of Grenier-Winther (GW) and Piaget.

Base MS: The manuscript from which our text is taken, using the sigla listed on this page.

Other copies: The other manuscripts in which the poem appears, with the line numbers for excerpts.

Selected variants: Most of the notes record the editors’ emendations. A small number (for instance, regarding the titles) record alternative readings when we did not emend the base text. We do not, however, provide a complete list of variants, for which one may consult Grenier-Winther’s edition. Each note consists of a line number, a lemma (the reading from our text), the manuscript source for the reading that we have chosen, selected readings from other manuscripts; and the reading from the base manuscript when it was rejected. If no manuscript source is listed following the lemma, the adopted reading is the editors’ conjecture.

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